Water circulation system associated with refrigerant cycle

Background of the invention

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an indoor unit of a water circulation system performing a hot water supplying function and cooling and heating functions in association with a refrigerant cycle.

2. Description of the related art

In the related art, indoor cooling and heating are performed by an air conditioner using the refrigerant cycle and supplying hot water is performed by a boiler with an additional heating source.

More specifically, the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit installed in an outdoor area and an indoor unit installed in an indoor area. The outdoor unit includes a compressor compressing refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat of outdoor air with the refrigerant, and a decompressing device and the indoor unit includes an indoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat of indoor air with the refrigerant. At this time, any one of the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger serves as a condenser and the other one serves as an evaporator and the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the decompressing device, and the indoor heat exchanger perform a refrigerant cycle.

In addition, the boiler generates heat by using oil, gas, or electricity and heats water to supply hot water or perform floor heating.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle that can selectively heat exchange water for cooling and heating and hot water supplying with at least one of a first refrigerant and a second refrigerant. The water circulation system associated with the a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention includes: a first refrigerant circulation unit where a first refrigerant exchanging heat with outdoor air flows to perform the refrigerant cycle; a second refrigerant circulation unit where a second refrigerant exchanging heat with the first refrigerant flows to perform the refrigerant cycle; a water circulation unit where water for at least one of indoor heating/cooling and hot water supplying flows; a first water heat exchanger where the heat exchange between the first refrigerant and water is performed; a second water heat exchanger where the heat exchange between the second refrigerant and water is performed; a first flow control unit that selectively prevents the flow of water to the first water refrigerant heat exchanger; and a second flow control unit that selectively prevents the flow of water to the second water refrigerant heat exchanger. Therefore, the present invention can improve the operation efficiency of the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant when a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention is operated in one-stage compression type;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant when a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention is operated in two-stage compression type;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant when a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention is operated in one-stage and two-stage mixed compression type;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the shape of an intermediate heat exchanger in a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a control configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control flow when the first embodiment of the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle according to the present invention performs a heating operation;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control flow when the first embodiment of the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle according to the present invention performs a defrosting operation;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the shape of an intermediate heat exchanger in a second embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control flow when the second embodiment of the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle according to the present invention performs a heating operation;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control flow when the second embodiment of the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle according to the present invention performs a defrosting operation;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control flow when a third embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention performs a heating operation;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a mixed operation process based on an outdoor temperature in the third embodiment of the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a mixed operation process based on a target temperature in the third embodiment of the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control flow when the third embodiment of the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle according to the present invention performs a defrosting operation;

FIG. 16 is a control configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a control flow when the fourth embodiment of the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle according to the present invention performs a heating operation; and

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a control flow when the fourth embodiment of the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle according to the present invention performs a defrosting operation.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the water circulation system S associated with the refrigerant cycle includes a first refrigerant circulation unit where first refrigerant exchanging heat with outdoor air flows to perform the refrigerant cycle, a second refrigerant circulation unit where second refrigerant exchanging heat with the first refrigerant flows to perform the refrigerant cycle, and a water circulation unit where water for at least one of indoor heating/cooling and hot water supplying. At this time, the refrigerant cycle means transmitting the heat by repetitively performing compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes.

In addition, the water circulation system S associated with the refrigerant cycle includes an outdoor unit 1 where an outdoor heat exchanger 13 exchanging the first refrigerant and the outdoor air with each other is installed and an intermediator 2 that intermediates the outdoor 1 with the water circulation unit and includes a water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 exchanging heat between the second refrigerant and water.

Specifically, the first refrigerant circulation unit includes the outdoor heat exchanger 13, a first compressor 11 compressing the first refrigerant, a first expansion unit 14 expanding the first refrigerant, a first flow switch 12 switching a flow direction of the first refrigerant, an intermediate heat exchanger 25 exchanging heat between the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant, and a first refrigerant pipe 15. That is, the first refrigerant performs the refrigerant cycle while sequentially circulating any one of the first compressor 11, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and the intermediate heat exchanger 25 and the other one of the first expansion unit 14, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and the intermediate heat exchanger. Further, by the first flow switch 12, the flow direction of the first refrigerant may be switched into a direction in which the first refrigerant is introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 from the intermediate heat exchanger 25 through the first expansion unit 14 or a reverse direction.

In addition, the second refrigerant circulation unit includes the intermediate heat exchanger 25, a second compressor 21 compressing the second refrigerant, a second expansion unit 24 expanding the second refrigerant, a second flow switch 22 switching a flow direction of the second refrigerant, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23, and a second refrigerant pipe 26. That is, the second refrigerant performs the refrigerant cycle while sequentially circulating any one of the second compressor 21, the intermediate heat exchanger 25, and the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 and the other one of the second expansion unit 24, the intermediate heat exchanger 25, and the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23. Further, by the second flow switch 22, the flow direction of the second refrigerant may be switched into a direction in which the second refrigerant is introduced into the intermediate heat exchanger 25 from the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 through the second expansion unit 24 or a reverse direction.

At this time, the intermediate heat exchanger 25 through which the first referent, second refrigerant, and water pass at the same time is included in the first refrigerant circulation unit or included in the second refrigerant circulation unit. In addition, in the intermediate heat exchanger 25, three flow passages 251, 252, and 253 for allowing the first refrigerant, second refrigerant, and water to flow, respectively are formed. Accordingly, in the intermediate heat exchanger 25, the first refrigerant, second refrigerant, and water exchange heat with each other at the same time. That is, the intermediate heat exchanger 25 serves as the water refrigerant heat exchanger where the heat is exchanged between the water and the water in a functional sense.

In another aspect, the intermediate heat exchanger 25 may serve as a first water refrigerant heat exchanger where the heat is exchanged between the first refrigerant and the water and the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 may serve as a second water refrigerant heat exchanger where the heat is exchanged between the second refrigerant and the water.

Meanwhile, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the first compressor 11, the first expansion unit 14, and the first flow switch 12 are installed in the outdoor unit 1. In the case where the outdoor unit 1 is operated in a cooling mode, the outdoor heat exchanger 13 serves as the condenser and serves as the evaporator in the case where the outdoor unit 1 is operated in a heating mode.

In addition, the intermediate heat exchanger 25, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23, the second compressor 21, and the second flow switch 22 are installed in the intermediator 2. Moreover, in the intermediator 2, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23, a flow switch 32 that is mounted on a water pipe 61 extending to the outlet of the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 and senses the flow of the water, an expansion tank 33 branched from any point separated from the flow switch 32 in the flow direction of the water, a water collection tank 34 into which the end of the water pipe 61 extending from the outlet of the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 is inserted and which an auxiliary heat 35 is provided, and a water pump 36 provided at any point of the water pipe 61 of the outlet side of the water collection tank 34.

More specifically, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 may adopt, for example, a plate-type heat exchanger as a device where the heat is exchanged between refrigerant that flows on a closed circuit of the refrigerant cycle and water that flows on the water pipe 61. At least two flow passages 231 and 232 where the refrigerant and the water independently flow and exchange the heat are formed in the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23.

Further, when the volume of water heated while passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 is expanded at an appropriate level or more, the expansion tank 33 performs an absorption function to absorb the expansion.

Further, the water collection tank 34 is a container where the water passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 is collected. In addition, the auxiliary heat 35 is mounted in the water collection tank 34, such that the auxiliary heat 35 is selected operated in the case where a heat quantity transferred through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 does not reach a required heat quality like a case where a defrosting operation is performed.

In addition, an air vent 343 is formed on the top of the water collection tank 34 to discharge air of an overheat state that exists in the water collection tank 34. Moreover, a pressure gauge 341 and a relief valve 342 are provide at one portion of the water collection tank 34, such that the internal pressure of the water collection tank 34 may appropriately be controlled. For example, when the internal water pressure of the water collection tank 34 displayed through the pressure gauge 341 is excessively high, the relief valve 342 is opened to appropriately control the internal pressure of the tank.

Further, the water pump 36 pumps water discharged through the water pip 61 extending from the outlet of the water collection tank 34 to supply it to a hot water supplying unit 4 and a cooling/heating unit 5.

Meanwhile, the water circulation unit includes the hot water supplying unit 4 where water for supplying hot water, that is, hot water supplying flows and the cooling/heating unit 5 where water for indoor cooling and heating flows.

More specifically, the hot water supplying unit 4 is a part heating and supplying water required for an operation such as user's washing or dish-washing. Specifically, a three-way valve 71 controlling the flow of the water is provided at any point separated from the water pump 36 in the flow direction of the water. The three-way valve 71 is a direction change valve that allows the water pumped by the water pump 36 to flow to the hot water supplying unit 4 or the cooling/heating unit 5. Accordingly, each of a hot water supplying pipe 62 extending to the hot water supplying unit 4 and the cooling/heating pipe 63 extending to the cooling/heating unit 5 are connected to the outlet of the three-way valve 71. In addition, the water pumped by the water pump 36 selectively flows to any one of the hot water supplying pipe 62 or the cooling/heating pipe 63 by the control of the three-way valve 71.

A hot water supplying tank 41 that stores water supplied from the outside and heats the stored water and an auxiliary heat 42 that is provided in the hot water supplying tank 41 are included in the hot water supplying unit 4. In addition, a water introduction portion 411 for introducing cooling water and a water discharge portion 412 for discharging heated water are provided on one side of the hot water supplying unit.

Specifically, a part of the hot water supplying pipe 62 extending from the three-way valve 71 is inputted into the hot water supplying tank 41 and heats the water stored in the hot water supplying tank 41. That is, heat is transmitted from high-temperature water that flows along the inside of the hot water supplying pipe 62 to the water stored in the hot water supplying tank 41. In addition, in a predetermined case, the auxiliary heat 35 and the auxiliary heat source operate to further supply additional heat. For example, like a case where the user needs a lot of water to take a bath, they may operate when the water needs to be heated within a short time. According to the embodiment, a water discharge device such as a shower or a home appliance device such as a humidifier may be connected to the water discharge unit 412.

Meanwhile, the cooling/heating unit 5 includes a floor cooling/heating unit 51 formed by burying a part of the cooling/heating pipe 63 in an indoor floor and an air cooling/heating unit 52 that is branched from any one point of the cooling/heating pipe 63 and in parallel, connected with the floor cooling/heating unit 51.

Specifically, the floor cooling/heating unit 51 may be buried in the indoor floor in the form of a meander line as shown in the figure. Further, the air cooling/heating unit 52 may be a fan coil unit or a radiator, etc. Further, in the air cooling/heating unit 52, a part of the air cooling/heating pipe 54 branched from the cooling/heating pipe 63 is provided as a heat exchange means. Moreover, a flow passage switching valve 56 such as the three-way valve 71 is installed at a point where the air cooling/heating pipe is branched and refrigerant that flows on the cooling/heating pipe 63 flows by being divided into the floor cooling/heating unit 51 and the air cooling/heating unit 52 or flows to only any one of the floor cooling/heating unit 51 and the air cooling/heating unit 52.

Further, an end portion of the hot water supplying pipe 62 extending from the three-way valve 71 is united at a point separated from an outlet of the air cooling/heating pipe 54 in the flow direction of the water. Therefore, in a hot water supplying mode, the refrigerant that flows on the hot water supplying pipe 62 is combined into the cooling/heating pipe again and thereafter, is introduced into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23.

Herein, like a point where the hot water supplying 62 is combined with the cooling/heating pipe 63, a check valve V is installed at a point requiring backflow prevention to prevent the backflow of the water. In the same context, except for a method of installing the flow passage switching valve 56, the check valve will be able to be installed at each of the outlet of the air cooling/heating pipe 54 and the outlet of the floor cooling/heating unit 51.

Meanwhile, the water pipe 61 guides the flow of the water for performing any one of the hot water supplying and the indoor cooling/heating. The water pipe 61 includes the hot water supplying pipe 62 guiding the water discharged from the water pump 36 to the hot water supplying unit 4, the cooling/heating pipe 63 guiding the water discharged from the water pump 36 to the cooling/heating unit 5, a main pipe 302 connecting the water refrigerant heat exchanger and the water pump with each other, and a branch pipe 303 branched from the main pipe 302 in order to the water passing through any one of the hot water supplying unit 4 and the cooling/heating unit 5 to the intermediate heat exchanger 25. One end of the branch pipe 303 is connected to one corresponding point of the main pipe 302 between the point where the hot water supplying pipe 62 and the cooling/heating pipe 63 are combined and the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 and the other end of the branch pipe 303 is connected to the other point of the main pipe 303 corresponding to a discharge side of the water refrigerant heat exchanger.

At this time, the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle further includes a first flow control unit 304 selectively preventing the flow of the water to the intermediate heat exchanger 25, a second flow control unit 306 selectively preventing the flow of the water to the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23, and a third flow control unit 305 selectively preventing the flow of water discharged from the intermediate heat exchanger 25. The first flow control unit 304 is installed at one point of the branch pipe 303 corresponding to an inlet of the intermediate heat exchanger, the second flow control unit 306 is installed at one point of the main pipe 302 corresponding to a downstream side of the point where the branch pipe 303 is branched, and the third flow control unit 305 is installed at the other point of the branch pipe 303 corresponding to a discharge side of the intermediate heat exchanger 25.

The first flow control unit 304 and the second flow control unit 306 serves to control a flowing amount of the water passing through the hot water supplying unit 4 and the cooling/heating unit 5 to the intermediate heat exchanger 25 and the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23, respectively. In addition, the first flow control unit 304 and the third flow control unit 305 shields the introduction portion and the discharge portion of the intermediate heat exchanger 25, thereby isolating water adjacent to the intermediate heat exchanger 25.

Hereinafter, the flow of refrigerant in a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant when a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention is operated in one-stage compression type, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant when a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention is operated in two-stage compression type, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant when a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention is operated in one-stage and two-stage mixed compression type.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, first, the flow of the refrigerant when the water circulation system S associated with the refrigerant cycle operates in a heating mode will be described. The water circulation system S associated with the refrigerant cycle can perform a heating operation in three operation states such as the one-stage compression operation, the two-stage compression operation, and the mixed operation.

Herein, the one-stage compression operation means an operation state in which the water that flows in any one of the hot water supplying unit 4 and the cooling/heating unit 5 is heated by the first refrigerant. The two-stage compression operation means an operation state in which the water that flows in any one of the hot water supplying unit 4 and the cooling/heating unit 5 is heated by the second refrigerant. In addition, the mixed operation means an operation state in which the water that flows in any one of the hot water supplying unit 4 and the cooling/heating unit is heated by the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant at the same time.

That is, in the one-stage compression operation, the water is heated by a single refrigerant cycle performed by the first refrigerant. In addition, in the two-stage compression operation, the second refrigerant is heated by a first refrigerant cycle performed by the first refrigerant and the water is heated by a second refrigerant cycle performed by the second refrigerant. Further, in the mixed operation, the water is heated by two refrigerant cycles performed by the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant at the same time.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 2, first, the flow of the refrigerant when the water circulation system S associated with the refrigerant cycle operates in the one-stage compression type will be described.

In the first refrigerant circulation unit, while the first refrigerant discharged from the first compressor 11 sequentially passes through the intermediate heat exchanger 25, the first expansion unit 14, and the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the refrigerant cycle is performed. At this time, the first flow switch 12 maintains a state to guide the refrigerant discharged from the first compressor 11 to the intermediate heat exchanger 25.

In addition, in the second refrigerant circulation unit, the flow of the refrigerant is stopped. That is, the operation stop of the second compressor 21 is maintained. Further, in the water circulation unit, the water discharged from the water pump 36 is introduced into any one of the hot water supplying unit 4 and the cooling/heating unit 5. The water passing through any one of the hot water supplying unit and the cooling/heating unit 5 is introduced into the branch pipe 303. At this time, the second flow control unit 305 maintains a closed state to prevent the flow of the water to the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23. Further, the first flow control unit 304 and the second flow control unit 305 maintain an opened state.

In addition, the water introduced into the branch pipe 303 passes through the intermediate heat exchanger 25. While the water passes through the intermediate heat exchanger 25, the water is heated by exchange the heat with the first refrigerant. The water passing through the intermediate heat exchanger 25 is again introduced into the water pump 36 through the water collection tank 34.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, first, the flow of the refrigerant when the water circulation system S associated with the refrigerant cycle operates in the two-stage compression type will be described.

In the first refrigerant circulation unit, the flow of the first refrigerant is the same as the case where the water circulation system S associated with the refrigerant cycle operates in the one-stage compression type.

In addition, in the second refrigerant circulation unit, the second refrigerant discharged from the second compressor 21 is introduced into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23. While the second refrigerant introduced into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 passes through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23, the second refrigerant emits the heat to the water. In addition, the second refrigerant passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 is expanded while passing through the second expansion unit 24 and thereafter is introduced into the intermediate heat exchanger 25. While the second refrigerant passes through the intermediate heat exchanger 25, the second refrigerant absorbs the heat from the first refrigerant and thereafter, is again introduced into the second compressor 21. At this time, the second flow switch guides the second refrigerant discharged from the second compressor 21 to the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 and guides the refrigerant passing through the intermediate heat exchanger 25 to the second compressor 21.

Further, in the water circulation unit, the water discharged from the water pump 36 is introduced into any one of the hot water supplying unit 4 and the cooling/heating unit 5. The water passing through any one of the hot water supplying unit 4 and the cooling/heating unit 5 is introduced into the main pipe 302. At this time, the first flow control unit 304 maintains the closed state to prevent the flow of the water to the intermediate heat exchanger 25. Further, the second flow control unit 306 maintains the opened state.

In addition, the water introduced into the main pipe 302 passes through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23. While the water passes through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23, the water is heated by exchange the heat with the second refrigerant. The water passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 is again introduced into the water pump 36 through the water collection tank 34.

In addition, referring to FIG. 4, the flow of the refrigerant when the water circulation system S associated with the refrigerant cycle operates in the mixed compression type will be described.

In the first refrigerant circulation unit and the second refrigerant circulation unit, the flows of the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant are the same as the case where the water circulation system S associated with the refrigerant cycle operates in the two-stage compression type.

However, in the water circulation unit, the water discharged from the water pump 36 is introduced into any one of the hot water supplying unit 4 and the cooling/heating unit 5. The water passing through any one of the hot water supplying unit 4 and the cooling/heating unit 5 is introduced into the main pipe 302 and the branch pipe 303 at the same time. At this time, both the first flow control unit 304 and the second flow control unit 306 maintain the opened state.

The water introduced into the main pipe 302 and the water introduced into the branch pipe 303 pass through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 and the intermediate heat exchanger 25, respectively. While the water passes through the intermediate heat exchanger 25, the water is heated by exchanging the heat with the first refrigerant and while the water passes through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23, the water is heated by exchanging the heat with the second refrigerant. That is, the water is heated by the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant at the same time.

In addition, the water passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 23 and the intermediate heat exchanger 25 is again introduced into the water pump 36 through the water collection tank 34.

Next, in the case where the water circulation system S associated with the refrigerant cycle operates in the cooling mode, the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant flow in reverse order in the first refrigerant circulation unit and the second refrigerant circulation unit in comparison with the case where the system operates in the heating mode.

Hereinafter, the shape of an intermediate heat exchanger in a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the shape of an intermediate heat exchanger in a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the intermediate heat exchanger 25 is a plate-type heat exchanger 25 that includes three flow passages adjacent to each other where the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, and water flow independently.

In detail, the plate-type heat exchanger 25 includes a plurality of plates 254, 255, and 256 that forms a plurality of flow passages 251, 252, and 253 where the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, and water flow independently. One side of the plates 254, 255, and 256 is formed with an introduction portion 257 into which any one of the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, and water is introduced and the other thereof is formed with a discharge portion 258 from which any one of the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, and water is discharged. In other words, the introduction portion 257 and the discharger portion 258 communicate with the plurality of flow passages 251, 252, and 253. However, each of the plurality of flow passages 251, 252, and 253 communicates with the introduction portion 257 and the discharge portion 258 of any one of the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, and water so that any one of the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, and water can flow.

At this time, the first refrigerant flows through any one flow passage 252 that is positioned between the remaining flow passages 251 and 253 among the plurality of flow passages 251, 252, and 253. More specifically, the second refrigerant flows through the first flow passage 251 of the plurality of flow passages 251, 252, and 254, the water flows through the third flow passage 253, and the first refrigerant flows through the second flow passage 252 that is positioned between the first flow passage 251 and the third flow passage 253.

Therefore, even when the water circulation system (S) associated with the refrigerant cycle is operated in any one state of the one-stage compression operation and the mixed operation, the heat exchange performance through the intermediate heat exchanger 25 can be maximized. In more detail, in the one-stage compression operation, the heat exchange of the first refrigerant and water is performed through the intermediate heat exchanger 25, in the two-stage compression operation, the heat exchanger of the second refrigerant and water is performed through the intermediate heat exchanger 25, and in the mixed operation, the heat exchange of the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, and water is performed through the intermediate heat exchanger 25. Therefore, the first refrigerant and water that flow the intermediate heat exchanger 25 can perform the heat exchanger in the adjacent state to each other regardless of the operation state of the water circulation system (S) associated with the refrigerant cycle.

Hereinafter, a control flow of a first embodiment of a water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 6 is a control configuration diagram of the first embodiment of the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle according to the present invention, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control flow when the first embodiment of the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle according to the present invention performs a heating operation, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control flow when the first embodiment of the water circulation system associated with the refrigerant cycle according to the present invention performs a defrosting operation.

Referring to FIG. 6, the water circulation system (S) associated with the refrigerant cycle includes an outdoor temperature sensor 72 that senses the temperature of outdoor air, a target temperature sensor 73 that senses the temperature of a target to be operated by the water circulation system (S) associated with the refrigerant cycle, and a control unit 75 that controls the first flow controller 304 and the second flow controller 306 based on the outdoor air temperature and the target temperature. The outdoor temperature sensor 72, the target temperature sensor 73, the first flow control unit 304, the second flow control unit 306, and the control unit 75 are electrically connected to each other so that they can transmit and receive signals to and from each other.

The target to be operated by the water circulation system (S) associated with the refrigerant cycle means a target to be controlled for the cooling and heating and hot water supplying. For example, the target to be operated may be an indoor temperature that means the temperature of indoor air, a discharge temperature that means a temperature of water discharged from the intermediator 2, an introduction temperature that means the temperature of water introduced into the intermediator 2, etc.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the heating operation of the water circulation system (S) associated with the refrigerant cycle starts, the outdoor temperature that means the temperature of the outdoor air and the target temperature that means the target temperature to be operated are sensed (S11).

When the outdoor temperature is a first reference temperature or more and the target temperature is below a second reference temperature (S12), the first flow control unit 304 is opened and the second flow control unit 306 is closed (S13). However, when the outdoor temperature is a first reference temperature or more and the target temperature is below a second reference temperature (S12), the first flow control unit 304 is opened and the second flow control unit 306 is closed (S14).

The case where the first flow control unit 304 is opened and the second flow control unit 306 is closed corresponds to the one-stage compression operation and the case where the first flow control unit 304 is closed and the second flow control unit 306 is opened corresponds to the two-stage compression operation. Therefore, the case where the outdoor temperature is the first reference temperature or more and the target temperature is below the second reference temperature may be referred to as the one-stage compression condition and the case other than the case where the outdoor temperature is the first reference temperature or more and the target temperature is below the second reference temperature may be referred to as the two-stage compression condition.

At this time, the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature mean the outdoor temperature and the target temperature corresponding to the operation conditions where the efficiency of the water circulation system (S) associated with the refrigerant cycle in the case of the one-stage compression operation and the efficiency of the water circulation system (S) associated with the refrigerant cycle of the two-stage compression operation are identical.

In more detail, as the outdoor temperature is high and the target temperature is low, the efficiency of the case of the one-stage compression operation is higher than the efficiency of the case of the two-stage compression operation. On the other hand, as the outdoor temperature is low and the target temperature is high, the efficiency of the case of the two-stage compression operation is higher than the efficiency of the case of the one-stage compression operation. Therefore, while the outdoor temperature and the target temperature are changed, there may be the outdoor temperature and the target temperature where the efficiency of the case of the two-stage compression operation is the same level of the efficiency of the case of the one-stage compression operation. Therefore, according to the control flow, the operation state of the water circulation system (S) associated with the refrigerant cycle is varied in the direction where the operation efficiency is higher according to the outdoor temperature and the target temperature.

Meanwhile, if the operation stop signal of the water circulation system (S) associated with the refrigerant cycle is not input, the process is repeatedly performed.

The description continues in the full USPTO document.